When a couple gets married, society has introduced a “norm” where the wife takes the husband’s last name. While many people go along with this tradition, there are those who opt out of taking their husband’s last name. One Twitter user, @_mercyful asked the question to her followers–wondering why women chose to not take their husband’s last name.
I’d really like to hear the reasoning behind women who won’t take their husband’s last name
— Maami (@_MercyFul) August 20, 2017
Women poured in with answers–all from their careers, to their love for their own last name, and even some strange ones.
My name is my name, his name is his name
— here. (@oyin_za) August 20, 2017
My input in this is. Traditions are overrated. If you don’t believe in gender specific roles and conventional roles in marriage.
— Incognito (@KleurJoem) August 20, 2017
I just like my last name. Simple.
— ?SERENITY? (@AbbyLuscious_) August 20, 2017
it would feel like losing a part of myself. Also why should I take his and he not take mine .Who created this tradition ?Men did?
— Gücci (@BlackCoffee_74) August 20, 2017
Well, if you’re Greek it’s illegal. Women keep their surnames by law. In Italy, no women change their name, it’s part of the culture.
— Emmeline May AKA Rockstar Dinosaur Pirate Princess (@RStarDinoPirate) August 23, 2017
I had a professional life, along with scientific publications, before I ever even met the man. He can change his name to mine if he cares.
— fata morgana (@hktparty) August 20, 2017
Because no one can eclipse my sun honey. You must step to the side and stand beside me and not in front of me. My equal not my owner.
— TheGirlsLikeMe (@DoreenGLM) August 21, 2017
Some women have built professional (esp academic) careers on their names. Maybe they don’t like his. Also it’s a pain to change. ??♀️
— Duchess of Cornball (@faux_naturale) August 20, 2017
Let me add my 50 cents: if u divorce u will have to change ur name coz ain’t no way am keeping his. #badmemories
— Chilel Aissitou (@Odetofashion) August 24, 2017
We come in the relationship as two people and we will stay as that.
— ? (@onmyankles) August 20, 2017
My father had no sons so I chose to keep the family name going for another generation
— WJG (@WJGCapeCod) March 22, 2018
I don’t want to lose the connection I have to my Mum & Dad plus I’m already established in life with this name
— Sarah-Beth (@kittenesque) August 24, 2017
For me personally I don’t see the need to change my family’s name. Just because I got married doesnt mean I have to change the name I held since birth. Moreover as a muslim we don’t do that. Women’s name remain the same ???
— アイシャ (@itskawaiidevil) March 22, 2018
Because I am no man’s property. And technically speaking, it’s more accurate to trace children through the mother’s blood line since the child is always hers, but not always her husband’s.
— Abigail Gustafson (@AbigailGus) March 23, 2018
It’s my name. That’s it. In our country married women usually keep their name and add the husband’s “last name”. Kids get both names but the father’s is also the “last name”. Our son has MY name as a “last name”. Because I freaking gave birth to him.
— Susana Oliveira (@Susana0172) March 23, 2018
I am not someone else’s anything. That’s my reason.
What’s the reason for taking it?
Interesting approach applying logic to this.
I see it as a relic stemming from actual ownership of women, not a result of logic and reasoning.— ShanaLay (@LAShanalay) March 23, 2018
Even Chrissy Teigen weighed in on the debate, saying:
my husband didn’t even take his last name? https://t.co/BMo6OsgcVv
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 22, 2018
Well, I’ll be damned. Personally, I had no idea that John Legend’s last name wasn’t Legend…I should have known though (his name is John Stephens).
Me finding out just now that John’s last name isn’t actually Legend: pic.twitter.com/G1LiLZGWDJ
— ✨ѕara мarιa ✨ (@x_saramaria_x) March 22, 2018